Chapter 56 334
Chapter 56
One morning , about a week after Bingley ' s engagement with Jane had been formed , as he and the females of the family were sitting together in the dining-room , their attention was suddenly drawn to the window , by the sound of a carriage ; and they perceived a chaise and four driving up the lawn . It was too early in the morning for visitors , and besides , the equipage did not answer to that of any of their neighbours . The horses were post ; and neither the carriage , nor the livery of the servant who preceded it , were familiar to them . As it was certain , however , that somebody was coming , Bingley instantly prevailed on Miss Bennet to avoid the confinement of such an intrusion , and walk away with him into the shrubbery . They both set off , and the conjectures of the remaining three continued , though with little satisfaction , till the door was thrown open and their visitor entered . It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh .
They were of course all intending to be surprised ; but their astonishment was beyond their expectation ; and on the part of Mrs . Bennet and Kitty , though she was perfectly unknown to them , even inferior to what Elizabeth felt .
She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious , made no other reply to Elizabeth ' s salutation than a slight inclination of the head , and sat down without saying a word . Elizabeth had mentioned her name to her mother on her ladyship ' s entrance , though no request of introduction had been made .
Mrs . Bennet , all amazement , though flattered by having a guest of such high importance , received her with the utmost politeness . After sitting for a moment in silence , she said very stiffly to Elizabeth ,
" I hope you are well , Miss Bennet . That lady , I suppose , is your mother ." Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was . " And that I suppose is one of your sisters ."